Monday, November 16, 2009

Returned from the 'Party' that was the Waterfowl Festival last evening feeling, at the same time, both tired and joyful. Tired because it is tiring sitting all day long for three and a half days, occasionally rising to walk the exhibition floor and see what artist friends are doing. Tiring because being 'On' constantly all day long does drain one's energies by the end of a long weekend. But then, joyful too as I was fortunate enough to have been one of the artists selling fairly well.

Now granted, I did not make a ton of money and to say that one was able to sell art in this economic environment is saying a whole lot, but things certainly have changed from the way they were ten, twelve, fifteen years ago. That party has been over for some time and I was wondering to myself as I drove across the Bay Bridge last night, mesmerized by a most gorgeous orangy hued sunset before my eyes, if we artists will ever see that sort of level of sales again?

In times like the current, do people really need art? In times like these do people even have an appreciation for art? In times like these do people even consider spending a small amount of their hard earned dollars on art?

It was obvious this past weekend that . . . yes . . . there are many who do see the value in having beautiful things around them at a time of great retrenchment and an obvious need to be surrounded by things that can help to brighten an otherwise lusterless and scary world.

'Thanks', simply does not seem strong enough a word to say to one who digs deep into their pocket to pull out a few dollars to buy a small work of original art, especially now when so many don't even have enough to sustain themselves day to day.

These are very hard times for us all and I am grateful to every single person who dug deep into their pocket this past weekend to spend a dollar or two on my art work and that of so many other artists, sculptors, carvers and craftspeople in Easton.

Making art is both a joy and a struggle at the same time. Selling art is also a joy and a struggle, and to those who have added a new work to their collection or to those who have bought their first piece of original art, know that you have not only gained a little more beauty in your life but you have helped to validate we artists' need to create and make that beauty.

5 comments:

I know all to well what you mean Terry. I think along the same terms. I wish we knew the answers. I think your work is great. Maybe by next month people will start buying some art for Christmas presents. I have a art show in December. Hope all goes well.

I love his work with the graphite. They are of great beauty and careful composition. Full of detail. No wonder that despite the difficulties there at the moment, people make an effort to acquire some of their works. Greetings from Spain.

About Me

I am an artist working in the medium of graphite, portraying what I see in the world around me in shades of black, white and grey. After spending many years wearing many different hats and working in many different fields, I have been a professional artist since 1990.